Do you have a discontinued fragrance that you long to see back on the perfume counter, and failing that, to replace with something similar? I receive many emails about long lost favorites, and most of the time I respond to them with my personal suggestions. However, I’ve decided that it might be better to post such requests here on Bois de Jasmin, so that readers can include their own recommendations. So, going forward, if you are searching for a discontinued fragrance and need help, you’re welcome to email me (editor at boisdejasmin dot com), and we will do our best to help.
After receiving several emails about Narciso Rodriguez for Her Musc Oil, I’ve decided to look into it. The oil form of Musc for Her was a limited edition that focused on the creamy musk facet of the original Eau de Toilette. The citrus, sharp amber, and woody notes were sheared out, with the elegant, luscious musk brought center stage. Musc for Her Oil smelled deliciously of warm skin and apricot flesh, with a hint of honey. Musc for Her collection, which also included Musc for Her EDT and Musc for Him EDT (black bottle) was launched in 2003. In 2009, Narciso Rodriguez added Musc for Her Intense Eau de Parfum and Musc for Him Eau de Parfum (iridescent violet bottle). Then in 2010, Essence Eau de Musc (silver bottle) appeared on the counters. These days we also have a limited edition called Essence Musc Intense Eau de Parfum. That is exactly why I dislike flankers—figuring out how they are related makes me feel like I’m solving some cognitive reasoning game.
Currently, Sephora stocks Narciso Rodriguez for Her, Musc for Her Intense Eau de Parfum, and Essence Eau de Musc, leaving those of us who loved the plain Musc for Her and its oil version searching for a replacement. The floral musks are numerous, but few combine the sensual softness of musk with a milky sweetness, the way Musc for Her did. One of my current favorites is Guerlain Cruel Gardénia, which despite the name smells little of gardenia, but a lot of musk. The floral notes have the compelling impression of petals steeped in milk. Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely is a softer take on the original Narciso Rodriguez For Her, and it is polished to remove any rough edges. If Lovely is a tender embrace, Serge Lutens Clair De Musc is a passionate kiss. The musk is garnished with iris, sandalwood and neroli, making Clair de Musc a richer blend, but it stays close to the skin, creating an intimate aura. Les Néréides Fleur Poudrée de Musc smells like warm skin dusted with rose scented powder.
Among fragrances that place a stronger accent on musk, I highly recommend Kiehl’s Original Musk. It is a splendid rich musk, with patchouli highlighting the seductive warmth in the drydown. The Body Shop White Musk is clean and enveloping, a musk classic. Like Musc for Her, it has a delicate floral accent, but the main flavor is provided by the plush musk layers. Underrated Etro Musk is another memorable perfume I’ve discovered in my search. The drydown is embellished with sandalwood, and the creamy rose is infused into the rich musk accord. Finally, while Musc for Her is more understated than the original Narciso Rodriguez for Her EDT, it is the only fragrance from the current collection that gives me the same idea of warm skin and hot petals.
Do you have a favorite musk perfume? If you love Musc for Her, what else would you recommend to try?
I had no idea it was a limited edition! Thankfully the opaque black bottle is great for safeguarding the scent (and I keep all my perfumes in a drawer anyway), so my bottle will last me some good years yet!
Kiehl's is nice, but it lacks the creamy and neroli facets of the Narciso Rodriguez oil...
Posted by: patuxxa | March 27, 2012 at 09:26
The Non-Blonde's review of Grés Cabaret inspired me to blind-buy it, as it was under $30. Frangratica readers said it resembles both Narciso Rodriguez for Her and Lovely. Others objected to its "dirtiness." I didn't smell anything I would consider excessively dirty or animalic, but it did have that element of laundry product, so perhaps a musk-lover would enjoy it. Sadly, I didn't like wearing it but I often spray it around my bedroom.
Posted by: Miss Conduct | March 27, 2012 at 11:58
I recently fell in love with Kiehl’s Original Musk, what a surprising little guy.
"Essence Eau de Musc Intense Eau de Parfum" doesn't exist though ;)
Posted by: Le Critique de Parfum | March 27, 2012 at 11:58
I also miss the creamy floral aspect in Kiehl's, but it is a good runner up. I loved the first Musc collection. The current one is good, but it doesn't have that "warm skin and petals" feeling.
Posted by: Victoria | March 27, 2012 at 12:07
I started out liking Cabaret a lot, but after wearing it for a whole day, I realized that it bothered me with its sharpness. The dry amber and woods in the base have an unpleasant raspy feeling. I didn't give up my bottle, but I hardly ever wear it.
Posted by: Victoria | March 27, 2012 at 12:09
Essence Musc Intense Eau de Parfum (or Eau de Parfum Intense, depending on how a retailer lists these variations) is a current limited edition, exclusive to Sephora.
Posted by: Victoria | March 27, 2012 at 12:14
Fantastic idea. Anything similar to the original Giorgio Armani Mania? And btw had no idea that Musc for her was discontinued.
Posted by: ida | March 27, 2012 at 12:16
I will post Armani Mania next week then.
Musc for Her is still available. It is now sold in a different concentration and the fragrance smells a bit different--more floral, warmer. Still very good though.
Posted by: Victoria | March 27, 2012 at 12:23
I will look forward to the Mania post. I have half a coveted bottle of original Mania safely stored. It was a true horror to find it discontinued, and not only that, its name given to some other Armani scent that I'd never buy in a thousand year.
I'd also like to see the women's Yohji Yamamoto resurrected.
Posted by: Debbie | March 27, 2012 at 14:22
Then I look forward to your comments on Mania. It's confusing how Armani has developed that brand. Not even sure why they discontinued Mania. And Elle for Her White! Another good, little black dress perfume.
Posted by: Victoria | March 27, 2012 at 16:38
Oh I used to love Helmut Lang fragrance!!!! It had lavender in it, and musk I too amongst other scent. It was a "skin" scent . I used to love it. But it s gone.... Boohoo
Posted by: Anne | March 27, 2012 at 17:30
For someone who is looking for a musk fragrance with more "personality", I would recommend trying Lorenzo Villoresi "Musk". It has woody notes of sandalwood, cedarwood and other exotic woods; rose, geranium, vanilla, and a base of (synthetic) Tonquin musk.
It is available from theperfumeshoppe.com, 50 ml for $80. It does not have much in common with NR fragrances though.
Posted by: behemot | March 27, 2012 at 18:00
I really miss the Musc for him oil, this was my favorite musc.
Don't like the Kiehls. Yatagan in low doses is nice and Clair de Musc. I wanted to like Le Labo Musc 25 but it reminds me of surgery. Love the musc in the drydown of Envy.
Posted by: Cybele | March 27, 2012 at 19:46
I remember there was also a male version of the oil. I had tried it and smelled like nothing. To my nose it was almost unscented. I guess I am anosmic to the musc used.
Posted by: Amer | March 28, 2012 at 08:43
Funny you mention it, as I wore my small LV Musk decant last week and was loving it. It's such a warm, floral, powdery musk. I was expecting it to be very similar to Teint de Neige, which it is to a degree, but it's more accessible because of the floral notes.
Posted by: Stacey | March 28, 2012 at 08:54
One of my favourite musk fragrances is definitely Musk by Mona di Orio!
And I hope that one day Plus Que Jamais will be back at the guerlain Counter.
Posted by: Isabeau | March 28, 2012 at 08:54
I loved it too. There was one Helmut Lang fragrance Velvione that contained nothing but musk. So good!
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:09
I like the musk base in some LV fragrances, but now that you mention it, I don't think that I've smelled Musk. Sounds very interesting!
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:10
I like musk base in Teint de Neige very much. It gives such a warm, cozy feeling to the drydown.
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:11
Le Labo Musc 25 didn't do much for me. I was expecting something more voluptuous, but it's strangely cold.
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:12
That's possible. Everyone is different in terms of what musks he can perceive.
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:13
I also wish for Plus Que Jamais to return. Such a beautiful floral that makes me think of autumn and frost covered roses.
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 11:14
Musc 25 is divine- the perfume portrait of Los Angeles! It does have that funky, nasty defiled subtext- if you know the scent, you know what I am talking about- that suggests the aftermath of a sex crime but if you like a touch of depravity with your perfume (and I mean that as a compliment of the highest magnitude) it is a great scent for you. Wouldn't recommend it for anybody under 21, though; it might summon Child Protective Services! Another wonderful but light musk is Memoire Liquide's "Nudite Absolu": a powdery white musk, with a soft brush of floral, very subtle and delicate and warm like freshly showered skin. Your audience has to be very close to smal it, but that's OK; it's an extremely intimate scent and you wouldn't want to share it with the whole room.
Posted by: Lynn Morgan | March 28, 2012 at 18:53
Lynn, your descriptions make me want to rush out and sample the perfumes in question! :)
Posted by: Victoria | March 28, 2012 at 20:08
A belated note to everyone seeking a soft white musk to replace the late and much lamented Narcisco Rodrieguez version- you might look into "blending bars" like Melange and Beyond Sense- they usually have perfume oils called "China Musk" and "China Rain" that are white musks with floral hints, very pretty and very affordable. Also, there is a company called Vinci&Rakos that produces a powdery musk scent they call "Angel" (no relation to the Mugler). Vince & Rakos also claim that they can reproduce discontinued fragrances if you still have a drop or two left in the bottle, but I have never investigated this service. I believe their website is www.vinceandrakos.com
Posted by: Lynn Morgan | March 30, 2012 at 17:16
I am utterly confused with all the Narciso Rodriguez scents in different concentrations smelling nothing alike. I can't seem to wrap my head around it lol!
Posted by: ida | April 05, 2012 at 04:52
Now that almost sounds too good to be true. Will investigate :D
Posted by: ida | April 05, 2012 at 04:54